A Sinn Fein councillor in Co Tyrone has resigned from the party, it was confirmed last night.

Barry Monteith, who has served on Dungannon council for the last seven years, announced he was splitting from the party because he could “no longer reconcile with its strategy”, claiming that it was not geared towards Irish unification.

Since joining Sinn Fein as a teenager, Mr Monteith has served as a party advice worker and in 2007 was elected as mayor of Dungannon. Despite his resignation, he will continue to serve on the council.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Monteith said: “It is with regret that I am resigning from Sinn Fein. This is due to disillusionment with the current Sinn Fein strategy. I no longer share the belief that this strategy will lead to Irish unification.

“I will remain as an independent republican councillor and will continue to concentrate on issues affecting the people of Dungannon.”